leaf fans are the worst by far the habs fans are not bad it's just the refs sucked this game.

Claiming Emelin had intent to take Stamkos' head off with his knee when he nearly went full figure skater to get over him? Claiming that there's a conspiracy theory and the stripes are out to get the Lightning in Montreal? Come on, let's be reasonable.

May want to claim that the Bolts D may want to pick up some skating lessons from Barb Underhill. Or perhaps Bolts may want to fix their gaps to limit transition game of Montreal. I think Tampa's problems run a little deeper than two missed calls. With that said, the no-goal call was crap, although, under the 'letter of the law', it was the right call. That offside call? Miss.

However, good teams find a way to win, no matter the calls. Tampa should probably start there... you know, the winning part.

And perhaps you should stop being so 'bloggy' and offer some good, meaty, objective analysis. Though that may not garner as many hits, it'll garner a bit more respect.

Claiming Emelin had intent to take Stamkos' head off with his knee when he nearly went full figure skater to get over him? Claiming that there's a conspiracy theory and the stripes are out to get the Lightning in Montreal? Come on, let's be reasonable.

May want to claim that the Bolts D may want to pick up some skating lessons from Barb Underhill. Or perhaps Bolts may want to fix their gaps to limit transition game of Montreal. I think Tampa's problems run a little deeper than two missed calls. With that said, the no-goal call was crap, although, under the 'letter of the law', it was the right call. That offside call? Miss.

However, good teams find a way to win, no matter the calls. Tampa should probably start there... you know, the winning part.

And perhaps you should stop being so 'bloggy' and offer some good, meaty, objective analysis. Though that may not garner as many hits, it'll garner a bit more respect.
- dlachine

Quite certain I never did either of those first two things.

And if you don't think I've been critical of the Bolts for their horrendous play, you haven't been reading. They've been outplayed badly.

I'm a blogger. I had a bit of fun with this one. As one of your fellow Montreal fans said a page or so back, I'm generally fairly impartial. Using the same analytical talking points over and over again gets a little bit nauseating, so I decided to change things up tonight. If you don't respect it, that's quite fine. I'll likely survive. Plenty of people respect/enjoy my writing and make this gig a lot of fun. There's nothing requiring you to be one of them.

Claiming Emelin had intent to take Stamkos' head off with his knee when he nearly went full figure skater to get over him? Claiming that there's a conspiracy theory and the stripes are out to get the Lightning in Montreal? Come on, let's be reasonable.

May want to claim that the Bolts D may want to pick up some skating lessons from Barb Underhill. Or perhaps Bolts may want to fix their gaps to limit transition game of Montreal. I think Tampa's problems run a little deeper than two missed calls. With that said, the no-goal call was crap, although, under the 'letter of the law', it was the right call. That offside call? Miss.

However, good teams find a way to win, no matter the calls. Tampa should probably start there... you know, the winning part.

And perhaps you should stop being so 'bloggy' and offer some good, meaty, objective analysis. Though that may not garner as many hits, it'll garner a bit more respect.
- dlachine

I don't quite understand this "conspiracy".. from a league point of view... what is a better outcome? The struggling TB Lightning making a deep playoff run OR a rich Canadian team who sells out no matter what making a deep run? If anything, the league has it out against Canadian teams... not that there is ANY conspiracy actually happening except for maybe one involving Jeremy Jacobs.

I don't quite understand this "conspiracy".. from a league point of view... what is a better outcome? The struggling TB Lightning making a deep playoff run OR a rich Canadian team who sells out no matter what making a deep run? If anything, the league has it out against Canadian teams... not that there is ANY conspiracy actually happening except for maybe one involving Jeremy Jacobs.

- TimThomasLunge

I'm not sure where the idea that TB is struggling comes from.

EDIT - If you read the pregame thread you'll see that I've consistently stated that I don't believe there's any bias against the sunbelt teams. Some people do. I'm not one of them.

I'm not sure where the idea that TB is struggling comes from.

EDIT - If you read the pregame thread you'll see that I've consistently stated that I don't believe there's any bias against the sunbelt teams. Some people do. I'm not one of them.
- Michael_Stuart

I meant financially... they aren't worth much

I meant financially... they aren't worth much
- TimThomasLunge

I think that number is largely skewed by the mess of the pre-Vinik era. Since Vinik took over as owner, the team has been on a huge upswing financially. As the team gets better, the financial situation will only continue to improve. Ticket sales are strong, the owner is willing to spend money, and they are reportedly getting closer to that break-even point.

I think that number is largely skewed by the mess of the pre-Vinik era. Since Vinik took over as owner, the team has been on a huge upswing financially. As the team gets better, the financial situation will only continue to improve. Ticket sales are strong, the owner is willing to spend money, and they are reportedly getting closer to that break-even point.
- Michael_Stuart

Up until this year, they had some of the lowest ticket prices. It still isn't a hot ticket in Tampa... Florida just isn't a hockey mad region. Panthers and Blue Jackets should be relocated. IMO... and Phoenix at some point.

Either way... there is no conspiracy theory

Up until this year, they had some of the lowest ticket prices. It still isn't a hot ticket in Tampa... Florida just isn't a hockey mad region. Panthers and Blue Jackets should be relocated. IMO... and Phoenix at some point.

Either way... there is no conspiracy theory
- TimThomasLunge

They've been top half of the league in attendance over the last three years, including top ten over the last two.

But I agree. Zero conspiracy.

They've been top half of the league in attendance over the last three years, including top ten over the last two.

But I agree. Zero conspiracy.
- Michael_Stuart

I dont read too much into attendance #s when you can get 4 tickets, food, beer and free parking for the cost of one upper bowl ticket in Vancouver. Apparently ticket prices this year went up ALOT, but in the past few years. Pretty cheap... apparently Minnesota has oddly cheap tickets too.. makes the sell outs less impressive.

I think that number is largely skewed by the mess of the pre-Vinik era. Since Vinik took over as owner, the team has been on a huge upswing financially. As the team gets better, the financial situation will only continue to improve. Ticket sales are strong, the owner is willing to spend money, and they are reportedly getting closer to that break-even point.
- Michael_Stuart

vinik stated on the radio that now they are doing well tickets sales are at the best ever during his owner era for next season. says it took him 4 years to get to this point of being good money wise. I think now they are a break even money team.

vinik stated on the radio that now they are doing well tickets sales are at the best ever during his owner era for next season. says it took him 4 years to get to this point of being good money wise. I think now they are a break even money team.
- todd1a

Shows what great ownership can do for a team. Just phenomenal stuff.

Goaltending has been the least of their problems. This is on the skaters.
- Michael_Stuart

First goal?

Wow, Tampa got @$# hosed. Sh*tty way to end an entertaining game. Until we have some sort of coach's challenge/play-review, NHL will continue to look mickey-mouse. I hope there is some sort of post-season/play-off analysis this year that finally introduces some meaningful measures to ensure the results of such important games are not based on officiating or mistakes. Frankly, it's a @#$@#$ disgrace.

Wow, Tampa got @$# hosed. Sh*tty way to end an entertaining game. Until we have some sort of coach's challenge/play-review, NHL will continue to look mickey-mouse. I hope there is some sort of post-season/play-off analysis this year that finally introduces some meaningful measures to ensure the results of such important games are not based on officiating or mistakes. Frankly, it's a @#$@#$ disgrace.
- Zogg

Yep

Complete Bell Centre special from the officials tonight … From the many non-calls against the Habs (typical in Montreal), the phantom offsides on Stamkos when he was in alone, the phantom "goaltender interference" that negated the goal …

What a (frank)ing joke. One of the worst one-sided officiating snow jobs I've seen in a long, long time. The NHL ought to be ashamed at the joke of a product they presented to the fans tonight.

Tonight presents one hell of a case for the use of video review in the NHL ...
- Aloha Mr. Hand

You're the best.

You're the best.
- hscesq

So you're a Montreal fan, coming in here to troll so you can ban someone? Why not me? If you're that desparate to whip out your ban key, (frank)ing to for it! Or GTFO!!!

So you're a Montreal fan, coming in here to troll so you can ban someone? Why not me? If you're that desparate to whip out your ban key, (frank)ing to for it! Or GTFO!!!
- Artyukhin76

Is this true howard? what does it look like?

Looked familiar to the officiating in the Ottawa-Montreal game late in the season (the one where Ottawa blew a 3 goal lead in the last few minutes).

Same stuff - phantom goalie interference stuff waiving off goals, and blatant missed calls. The clincher was a puck frozen by Lehner for several seconds but no whistle while Montreal players hacked it out from under him to score the OT winner.

Too bad for Tampa and their fans. A win last night would have made it a series.

Looked familiar to the officiating in the Ottawa-Montreal game late in the season (the one where Ottawa blew a 3 goal lead in the last few minutes).

Same stuff - phantom goalie interference stuff waiving off goals, and blatant missed calls. The clincher was a puck frozen by Lehner for several seconds but no whistle while Montreal players hacked it out from under him to score the OT winner.

Too bad for Tampa and their fans. A win last night would have made it a series.
- maaddmike

I was at that game
Puck was not frozen

1) Cooper is getting out coached, the players are showing their inexperience and getting outplayed, its amazing how much Palat changes a game though as they had fighting chances in 1 and 3 with him but no chance in game 2 without him.

2) Lindback is not the problem, not getting the puck past center ice for some reason is now foreign to the Lightning. And the D is not playing good.

3) Look at the regular season, the bolts did not score much on Montreal and Price so the O is doing what it did all year, its just now that Montreal is doing more then they did in the regular season.

4) The disallowed goal was bad, it changed the dynamic of the game there is no doubt. I don't care if by the rule its the right call the NHL needs to address the goalie interference in the off season.

5) Lastly booing a player that is injured, classless no excuses on that. Never boo a downed player.

6) I can only hope this experience leads to better things for the Bolts next season.

7) I hope they play hard and make Montreal earn the sweep, I would like to watch them one more time at the forum.
- stammerman

I'll say this is the most level-headed post of this long-winded blog.

1) Cooper and the team will learn from this series, I have no doubt. Experience is king and only comes with situations you've never dealt with before. The Bolts will be a stronger team in the end.

2) Agreed Lindback is not the problem. This game was over in the first period if not for some of the best goaltending of the series.

3) Montreal is showing Tampa a different team than the one in the regular season. They caught the Lightning unprepared for this.

4) Agreed. The NHL in an effort to protect goalies, went overboard on this one. This needs to be corrected and God forbid it happen to us.

5) Agreed again. Some classless moron starts it and the crowd joins in without even knowing why they're booing. I expect more from our fans, this was classless behavior.

6) I think this team will surprise many in the coming seasons.

7) I'd rather not

I was at that game
Puck was not frozen
- MTL1

Because Montreal fans are ALWAYS a objective right? They'd NEVER boo an inured player either right?

So you're a Montreal fan, coming in here to troll so you can ban someone? Why not me? If you're that desparate to whip out your ban key, (frank)ing to for it! Or GTFO!!!
- Artyukhin76

Thank you for the option. I chose you. The guy I laughed at is NOT a Tampa fan. He is a Bruins fan and someone I know quite well from past interactions. I was laughing at HIM, and nobody else having anything to do with Tampa or their fans.
Sorry you misinterpreted and enjoy the time off.

Because Montreal fans are ALWAYS a objective right? They'd NEVER boo an inured player either right?
- Artyukhin76

Not sure when I said booing an injured player is ok

Because Montreal fans are ALWAYS a objective right? They'd NEVER boo an inured player either right?
- Artyukhin76

What injured player? He played the rest of the game, did he not?